Job Description
The Sacred Materials Music Linguist plays a vital role in sharing the message of the restored Church of Jesus Christ worldwide through music by overseeing the transcreation of music products in multiple languages for web, print, mobile, and other platforms.
This position leads the development of the new international hymnbook in four or more languages from initiation to publication, working closely with global linguists within the Publishing Services Department and key stakeholders to ensure proper processes and adherence to timelines. Responsibilities include selecting, training, and mentoring music transcreators across different regions, analyzing the linguistic and musical quality of transcreations, and fostering unity within translation teams.
The ideal candidate is self-motivated, detail-oriented, and culturally sensitive, with strong communication and teaching skills. A passion for languages, poetry, and music is essential, along with flexibility to travel internationally and work outside standard business hours to collaborate with teams in various time zones.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate the quality of transcreations and adherence to Church music transcreation guidelines through thorough linguistic quality analysis.
- Engage with external and internal music transcreation providers for the purposes of recruitment, onboarding, training, relationship management, and performance management. Train individuals to become skilled transcreation providers who can transcreate sacred music.
- Oversee implementation of proper processes and ensure progress of music transcreation work for assigned languages and projects, including partnering with project stakeholders, organizing work, and providing direction to ensure timely completion of jobs.
- Research language usage and conventions, with an emphasis on poetry and music transcreation. Establish linguistic standards and style guides for use by music transcreation teams.
- Seek feedback from native speakers to certify language acceptability.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in linguistics or related field.
- At least 4 years of experience in translation, linguistics, or a related field, including overseeing the work of others, preferably translation teams.
- Native-level mastery of spoken and written English plus working knowledge of at least two other languages, with ability to learn additional languages as needed; capable of translating well in at least one language pair.
- Strong understanding of linguistic theory, literary devices, and sound knowledge of countries, history, culture, customs, and values related to the languages spoken.
- Ability to read and understand music notation.
- Ability to navigate translation and business management tools, web interfaces, follow briefs and instructions, and manage file uploads/downloads; provide basic technical support for these systems. Strong proficiency in operating systems and Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong understanding of Church doctrine, policies, ecclesiastical organization, and experience with sacred music.
- Proven ability in public speaking, interpersonal communication, team leadership, coaching, project and time management, problem solving, and working under pressure; compassionate leadership style and willingness to travel internationally several times per year.
About Us
Church employees find joy and satisfaction in using their unique talents and abilities to further the Lord's work. From the IT professional who develops an app that sends the gospel message worldwide, to the facilities manager who maintains our buildings giving Church members places to worship, teach, learn, and receive sacred ordinancesour employees seek innovative ways to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. They are literally working in His kingdom.
Only members of the Church who are worthy of a temple recommend qualify for employment. Apart from this, the Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on any basis that would violate U.S. or local law.
Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, national origin, color, gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other legally protected categories that apply to the Church. The Church will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities.
